CMSPI Releases Its First State of the Industry Report
Today, CMSPI released its first State of the Industry Report, created in partnership with the client-led Insights Advisory Council (IAC) that formed recently. The council brings together seasoned leaders from major global brands, all focused on making payments work better for merchants and, by extension, the customers they serve.
Working Side by Side with Global Leaders
The Insights Advisory Council features leaders from Amazon, Best Buy, Columbia, iHerb, lululemon, Kroger, McDonald’s, Shell, Sony, Target, and Walmart. Their collaboration points to a growing, pragmatic shift in the industry: competing brands aligning where it matters to build a more efficient, predictable, and merchant-friendly payment ecosystem.
Why This Report Matters
The CMSPI State of the Industry Report is designed as a practical reference for merchant executives, payments practitioners, and policymakers worldwide. It offers a merchant-centric lens on the realities of accepting payments—what drives costs, what’s changing, and where decisions today can shape outcomes tomorrow.
What You’ll Take Away
As CMSPI’s CEO, Elley Frost, noted, "We greatly appreciate the Council’s engagement and collaboration in producing this significant industry research." The report surfaces the strategic payment issues today’s leading merchants are working through with their partners—bringing clarity to topics that often feel technical but have outsized impact on margins, customer experience, and growth.
Inside the Analysis: The Mechanics of Payment Acceptance
The report examines core areas that influence the total cost and reliability of taking payments: the fees tied to acceptance, the operational realities of the payments supply chain, the rapid expansion of ecommerce, and the differences merchants see across regions. It also highlights how evolving global policy developments continue to shape the incentives and outcomes in the sector.
Understanding the Plumbing Behind Card Payments
CMSPI’s Chief Economist, Callum Godwin, underscores that card payments run on a dense, rule-bound infrastructure—interlinked networks, intermediaries, and practices that can shift over time. The report helps stakeholders keep pace with that moving target so they can make decisions with clearer sightlines.
By the Numbers: Highlights from the Report
State of the Industry Report by the numbers:
- U.S. merchants paid an estimated $224 billion in the latest year just to accept card payments—costs that touch nearly every transaction.
- Since 2009, payment costs for U.S. merchants have risen by roughly 34 basis points, a persistent climb that factors into pricing, investment, and negotiating strategies.
- Ecommerce growth has gone hand in hand with higher card-related fees, contributing to an estimated annual increase of $2.4 billion in interchange and network fees for U.S. merchants.
- More than 300 policy interventions globally have influenced market dynamics. Notably, procompetitive dual network debit card routing could yield up to $4 billion in annual savings in the U.S. and $800 million in Australia.
About CMSPI
CMSPI is a payments consultancy that works with Global 500 merchants to improve performance through data-driven strategies. Its team blends deep domain expertise with broad market visibility to help clients unlock savings, support sales growth, and strengthen their end-to-end payment approach.
Global Footprint and Client Support
With key offices in Atlanta, Manchester, and Sydney, CMSPI supports clients across regions as they navigate complex payment rules, costs, and technologies. The firm’s presence helps merchants adapt locally while keeping a global view of how the ecosystem is evolving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the CMSPI State of the Industry Report?
It’s built to help merchant leaders, payments professionals, and policymakers understand the real drivers of payment acceptance—costs, rules, and trends—so they can improve the payment experience for merchants and consumers alike.
Who participates in the Insights Advisory Council?
The council includes leaders from major brands such as Amazon, Best Buy, Columbia, iHerb, lululemon, Kroger, McDonald’s, Shell, Sony, Target, and Walmart, collaborating to strengthen the payments ecosystem.
Which themes stand out in the findings?
Key themes include rising acceptance costs, the impact of ecommerce growth on card-related fees, and the role of policy developments—such as dual network debit card routing—in creating potential savings.
How does CMSPI support merchants in practice?
CMSPI combines market data, analytics, and domain expertise to help merchants optimize payment strategies, reduce costs, support sales growth, and manage the operational complexities of accepting payments.
Where can I learn more?
For additional detail, explore CMSPI’s published materials and official website, which provide further information about the report and the firm’s payment strategy work.
